THE EEL

WHY FRESHWATER EEL FARMING?

The freshwater eel is a unique and fascinating species. It is one of the last biological scientific mysteries, in that no man has yet witnessed it spawn and it is still uncertain exactly where the eel migrates. Contrary to some negative western perceptions, the eel enjoys delicacy status in Asia and mainland Europe. It is our aim to ‘tell the story’ of the eel to a wider audience, its mysteries, prized taste, social benefits, and in particular, its health advantages. There are four major spawning grounds around the world for freshwater eel. One of these, that of the African eel (Anguilla mossambica) is believed to be situated slightly to the North of Madagascar, off Africa’s East coast. The African freshwater eel stocks are relatively unexploited and their habitat remains largely pristine.

In Asia and Europe, freshwater eel populations are in decline, due largely to the destruction of the freshwater eel’s habitat through pollution and development. Demand for eel in these areas however, remains high.

Ripple Fish intends to be part of the management of the African eel, to avoid it being exploited as its European and Asian counterparts have been, with similar disastrous consequences.

This is achieved through implementing an ecologically sustainable harvesting and utilisation programme for both adult and glass eel, in a manner considered to be in the best interest of the eel fishery and aquaculture sectors of the local industry.